Gohan flew towards Satan City
first. It was, afterall, often passed through or over when on
a trip west to Bulma's. Gohan altered course slightly so that
he would head to the outskirts of one sector of the city. On the
city's edge poised the Satan Mansion. Since this was Sunday, Videl
would likely be home. Luckily for Gohan, Videl was, at the time,
working out. He could feel her elevated ki. Landing just inside
the mansion's security perimeter, Gohan followed the strengtening
ki around the left wing and to the rear of the huge building.
Peering in a window, he had indeed found the gym area. He also
saw Videl busily thrumming away at a sandbag. The speed and fury
of her kicks aroused the saiyan side of Gohan. He desired to join
her. But, his highly trained brain told him otherwise. He was
here for a reason and it wasn't sparring. Or perhaps it was, but
not physically. Gohan had to clash verbally with the daughter
of Mr. Satan. This was the Satan family's strength. By human standards
they were indeed strong, but their manipulative and well-chosen
words were the main strength of both father and daughter. Gohan
would have to be cautious with his. One wrong word or phrase and
Videl would eat him up alive thus solving nothing for the son
of Goku.

Nervously, he debated how to attract
her attention. Should he knock on the window? Go back to the front
and try to gain entry normally? Try his communicator watch? The
longer he stood there staring in the window, the easier it was
for his body to make the decision his brain was supposed to. He
rattled on the window.

Videl was immediatly startled
as her kick missed the punching bag and its force flung her off
balance and onto the ground. Gohan hid a snicker. It was a rather
comedic scene to see her whiff air and fall. She returned to her
feet and looked about for the source of her distraction. Gohan
tapped again. Her bright eyes narrowed as her brow enclosed upon
them. She wasn't happy to see him.

Lifting the window, Gohan backed
up thus making sure he wouldn't get punched before saying what
he had to.

"Well, she did leave for
space, but Piccolo brought to my attention some possible further
conseqences of my actions that could happen down the road."

"And?"

"Vegeta must have too. Bulma's
making a space ship. He's going after her. Since it's my fault
all this happened, I feel obligated to go too."

Videl thought about Gohan's decision
carefully. One part of her said 'fine, go' while the other said
'please don't leave, I don't want you to leave me.' Finally, she
spoke. "So, you're ditching school again I suppose?"

"Yes. But, I'm hoping it
won't be for too long."

"What does your mother think
about all this, assuming you told her of course."

"I told her. And, I told
her I was going to join Vegeta. But, she doesn't know I left already.
Well, maybe she does now, Goten saw me leave. I'm on my way to
Bulma's now, but felt it necessary to stop here first."

Videl was flattered at that response
though she wasn't really sure why.

Gohan hung his head for a moment.
"You can hang on without me. I have faith in your strength
and ability."

"What am I going to tell
our friends at school?"

"The same thing you'll tell
any teachers or the principal. That I'm dealing with a family
obligation and I'll return soon."

"You mean lie?"

"Exaggerated truth. If Veleet
impregnates---"

"Gohan, STOP, I don't want
to even remember what you gave her!"

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry."

"Just go. I'll try to hold
the fort while you're gone."

"Thanks Videl."

"But don't think this is
over yet mister. You'd better return quick and in one piece because
I want the satisfaction of taking you apart later."

Gohan gulped. "Uh, yeah,
sure. Take care Videl. I lo--, I'll return, I promise." Gohan
said as he launched back into the air.

*Was he about to say 'I love you?'
* Videl thought to herself as she watched him depart.

****************************************

Gohan arrived at Bulma's within
the hour. He breathed a sigh of relief when upon the door opening,
Bulma greeted him rather than Vegeta.

"How is the ship coming Bulma?"

She scowled. "I can't believe
you did that Gohan. But you're a teenager and teenagers do weird
things so I can't totally blame you. I'm just upset that you're
taking my 'quality time' with Vegeta away from me for a while."

"Quality time?"

"Gohan, at your age, you
should know what that is. Anyway, it takes guts to ride in a little
ship with that man so I guess I should commend you on your courage."

"Does Vegeta know I'm coming?"

"I didn't even know you were.
I just guessed that since you are standing at my doorway."

"Oh."

"Well come in. The ship will
be ready by tomorrow. I'm charging its systems up now."

"Veg-Veg--"

"I don't know if Vegeta knows
or not. I don't ask him things unless I wish to get an earful
of gripes."

As Bulma led Gohan to the launch
bay where the ship was now at rest, Vegeta entered from another
hallway. He was draped in sweat. Gohan gulped once again. Eventhough
he was stronger than the saiyan prince, he never once let his
guard down with the unpredictable saiyan.

Vegeta stared him down. Gohan
tried to avoid eye contact. Direct contact would mean he was challenging
the saiyan prince. He wanted to keep Vegeta as calm as possible.
Vegeta was satisfied in seeing the eldest son of Goku squirm under
his scrutiny. A slow smirk developed across his face as he turned
and departed without saying a word.

Gohan was unsure how to take that,
but it couldn't be good. Nerves now jittered up and down his spine
as he thought of he and that saiyan locked up in a little ship
in space together. There would be nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.
No escape anywhere, whatsoever.

Bulma looked at Gohan with pity.
The poor boy was barely into adulthood and already he may see
his life cut short.

"Well, you may stay the night
in the room across from Trunks'. I'm sure he'll be pleased that
he has someone to play with tonight. I'll prepare the ship for
a departure shortly after breakfast. I'm sure both you and him
will want to eat first."

Gohan nodded. "Thank you
Bulma."

"You're welcome Gohan, but
some advice. If I were you, I'd pray to Dende that you get out
of this alive. This is not some pleasure cruise you're embarking
upon. Sharing a small spaceship with Vegeta is probably like trying
to sleep in a garbage can with a hundred porcupines. Anyway, get
some rest. Be up at six for breakfast if you want any chance at
some food."

"Uh, okay. I think."
Gohan replied as more chills scampered up and down his spine.
He was not looking forward to this at all and silently wished
that Trunks from the other timeline were present so he could borrow
the time machine and change the past for another version of himself.
Since now, he wasn't so sure he was going to walk out of this
whole situation unscathed.